Mums accused over fronting car scam

Up to 10% of parents are breaking the law regarding their children's car insurance - and mothers are the main culprits of the fraud, known as "fronting", new research has revealed.

One in 10 motoring families has insured their child's car in their own name and cited their son or daughter as the second driver, according to the survey.

The poll of 1,991 adults found that fronting - which is treated as fraud by insurers - is more likely to be committed by women than men.

Overall, a further 30% of families would consider fronting, while 57% did not realise that fronting was unlawful, either believing it to be a legal practice or being unaware of the situation, it said.

Across the country, Londoners and people from north-west England were found to be most likely to engage in fronting.

Steve Sweeney, head of car insurance at moneysupermarket.com, which published the poll, said: "It is staggering to see just how many people are happy to take the risk and 'front' on their car insurance.

"It is illegal and will immediately be classified as fraud by an insurer. Even worse, it is hugely worrying that so many drivers think it is either legal to front or simply don't even know."